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Schools Reopen, Kids' Mental Health Soars!
10 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Child mental health diagnoses dropped 43% after schools reopened.
- Study analyzed over 185,000 California schoolchildren's data.
- School-based social environments are essential for girls' well-being.
Reopening schools during the pandemic led to a significant improvement in children's mental health, according to a recent Harvard study. Nine months after schools resumed in-person instruction, children were 43% less likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions.
The research, which examined data from over 185,000 California schoolchildren, noted a decrease in diagnoses for anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Mental health-related healthcare spending also fell, with non-drug medical spending down 11% and psychiatric drug spending reduced by 8%.
Researchers highlighted the essential nature of school-based social interactions for student well-being, particularly for girls. While the study focused on children with private insurance in higher-income areas, the findings offer valuable insights for public health strategies during future emergencies.
